The problem examined in this study: Does the majority of teachers use rigorous teaching and testing practices? The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the classroom techniques of six effective teachers who use rigorous teaching and testing practices. The hypothesis for this study is that the examination of the…

Renowned education journalist Ronald A. Wolk--the founder and former editor of "Education Week" and "Teacher Magazine"--skewers the conventional wisdom of the day about education reform and illuminates a way forward to higher student achievement. Learn why so many assumptions guiding political and educational leaders--standards and testing, longer…

All too often, literacy assessments are given only for accountability purposes and fail to be seen as valuable resources for planning and differentiating instruction. This clear, concise book shows K-5 educators how to implement a comprehensive, balanced assessment battery that integrates accountability concerns with data-driven instruction.…

Four testing schemes are outlined: post-test only, pretest/post-test, the Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI) Model, and the EIPI Model which takes into account the learning style and the psychosocial background of the learner. The EIPI model has three phases: placement, counseling, and intervention. (RAO)

In the past there has been some question about a pupil's retention of knowledge after the summer recess. In the Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI) system, once a pupil begins working through the objectives, it should be unnecessary to have him take placement tests each Fall. The present study extracted data from the pupils' placement…

Over the last 10 to 15 years, a variety of efforts to transform American high schools have gained both public and private support. Significant among these are initiatives to implement Small Learning Communities (SLCs), part of a larger school reform and restructuring effort designed to address a variety of goals, including "downsizing large…

Outlines the purposes of pretests and considerations in their construction. (JR)

A personalized system of instruction (PSI) was used to teach an undergraduate course in the principles and procedures of behavior modification. In most courses utilizing PSI, proctors grade quizzes and discuss the incorrect answers with the students. This study investigated the effect these discussions had on the students' quiz performance. The…

Attempts to evaluate the effect of various combinations of traditional instructional methods (TM) and personalized instruction (PSI) on final exam scores. It is hypothesized that groups which received PSI combined with enrichment provided by TM will score significantly higher on their cumulative final exam than students who receive instruction by…

A model for computer-assisted branched testing was developed, implemented, and evaluated in the context of an elementary school using the system of Individually Prescribed Instruction. A computer was used to generate and present items and then score the student's constructed response. Using Wald's sequential probability ratio test, the computer…

This manual is designed to introduce college and secondary students to individualized instruction. It includes an overview of the advantages of individualized instruction, a step-by-step description of how to go through an individualized course, and instruction in the self-management of study behavior. (Author/JY)

A self-paced, individualized, multimedia physics course developed by the New York Institute of Technology for the U. S. Naval Academy with funds provided by the U. S. Office of Education is evaluated. Student performance is measured by "core problems." A core problem is a terminal objective in problem form. The student uses his results…

The Olympia, Washington, Public Schools report a workshop held to design a program for collecting and organizing information on the total student growth necessary for developing a curriculum for individualized instruction. In addition to student records, information was needed on (1) learning styles, (2) interest areas, (3) physical development…

Describes the individualized testing system and the impact of this practice on grade inflation of a biology course for nonmajors at Oral Roberts University, Tuba, Oklahoma. A course description, and discussion of results of 1,512 students who took the course over an eight-semester period are presented. (HM)